David Domoney does it again with live garden transformation on ITV’s This Morning
The huge positive reaction from the Front Garden Face Lift transformation last month had ITV’s This Morning producers inundated with applications for future projects. Television has only really focused on rear garden projects, on pre-recorded makeover shows. This front garden focus has captured the nation’s interest in front gardens and being able to watch it transform on television in real-time has everyone feeling the jeopardy as it happens.
Never one to back down from a challenge, David Domoney returned to ITV’s This Morning to face the Front Garden Facelift challenge again. Watched by millions of viewers across the UK, David and his brilliant team of volunteers completed the mammoth task.
Live from Radstock, David’s team of volunteers from Blue Diamond Garden centres and young horticulture students from Wiltshire College and University Centre working to breathe new life into the space.
The clock began ticking at 10am when Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley introduced David whilst he knocked on the door of Clair Liddiard.
Clair is a care worker who is battling ovarian cancer and creating a dream garden that attracts wildlife has felt out of reach.
According to research statistics from Cancer Research UK, on average there are 7,495 cases recorded each year. It’s the 6th most common type of female cancer. Sadly 4,142 people who have been diagnosed with the illness have lost their battle. However, 35% of those who battle the disease live for 10 years or more and 11% of cases are preventable.
Front gardens have been in decline across the UK for several decades. Many homeowners have decided to convert their outdoor garden space into parking spaces for vehicles. London and the Southeast account for 32% of these conversions across the UK. It’s reported that the average cost of a garden conversion to a driveaway in 2021 was £2474 which based on inflation has rocketed to £2950 in 2024.
By illustrating what is possible with a front garden, David wants to inspire more to visit the garden centre and give their front garden some TLC. David said, “For me, front gardens are the smile that your house gives you when you come home. Whether it’s from work or from a trip out, you want a beautiful garden to greet you and that’s what the front of your property can do.”
Victoria Fiander, an assessor in Horticulture from Wiltshire College and University centre, said: “We were delighted to receive the request for help from This Morning. The experience of working alongside an industry figure like David is invaluable to build the students Knowledge and skills, which allows them to develop their Soft landscape installation techniques and Factors influencing plant selection including planting combinations, microclimate, soil, purpose, aesthetics.”
“The biggest challenges with any makeover, are time and the size of the garden,” said David. “With the help of the Lackham Campus of Wiltshire College and University Centre students, Blue Diamond Garden & Living Centre at Cadbury, AMES Tools, Hope Grove Nurseries, AJ Champion and Sons, CJ Wildlife, Jacksons Fencing, Miracle-Gro, OASE Water Solutions, The Hedgehog Society, Plantool Hire Centres, McCathy Marland Recycling, and Protest Electricians we were able to create something special for a very deserving person. Clair is going through a very challenging time, and I believe that gardens, plants, and nature can help soothe our minds and lift our spirits.”
As time was called on the makeover work, David was able to take Clair on a guided tour of her new front garden. Clair was so pleased with the transformation thanking everyone, with highlights for her including the water feature by OASE UK, bird station and feeds from CJ Wildlife, plants and staff from Blue Diamond and hedging from Hope Grove Nursery and the special Front Garden Facelift blue plaque created for This Morning by Fun Blue Plaques.
"Garden Centres up and down the country are one-stop shops for everything you need to create your own garden sanctuary. Shopping for Clair prior to the makeover at Blue Diamond Garden Centre in Cadbury was a tantalizing experience, a place for inspiration, not to mention the expert advice available for those looking to bounce ideas and discuss layout questions."
“Everyone involved in this makeover has done an incredible job. I’m so grateful that the horticultural industry has come together to illustrate what we can do. The volunteers and students have helped to create a lovely place for Clair to enjoy, and for wildlife to thrive,” David concluded.
As time was called on the makeover work, David was able to take Clair on a guided tour of her new front garden. Clair was so pleased with the transformation thanking everyone, with highlights for her including the water feature by OASE UK, bird station and feeds from CJ Wildlife, plants and staff from Blue Diamond and hedging from Hope Grove Nursery and the special Front Garden Facelift blue plaque created for This Morning by Fun Blue Plaques.
